Key Facts
- Petition signatures
- Almost 9,000
- Petition goal
- 100,000 signatures
- Cost of full reinstatement
- £265 million
- GSA annual turnover
- Five times less than reinstatement cost
- Fires
- 2014 and 2018
- Building completed
- 1909
Background
The Mackintosh Building at the Glasgow School of Art (GSA), designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh and completed in 1909, is widely regarded as one of the first truly modern buildings. It has remained unrestored since two fires in 2014 and 2018.
In July, the GSA stated it lacked the funds to cover the £265 million cost of full reinstatement—an amount five times the school’s annual turnover. This has fueled public frustration and calls for action.
Current Situation
A petition launched by Scottish architect Ruairidh Moir, a principal at the practice BARD, has gathered almost 9,000 signatures. It demands a 'full and faithful restoration and reinstatement' of the building with 'no erosion of Mackintosh’s original design intent.'
The petition also calls for permanent ownership to be transferred to an independent organization that would steward the rebuilding, with the structure leased back to the GSA for continued use as an art school. If the petition reaches 100,000 signatures, it will be 'hand-delivered' to the UK and Scottish governments and the GSA board.
Moir told Dezeen: 'There has been frustration at the GSA’s stewardship of the building, both before the fires and in the years that have followed.'
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Petition signatures | Almost 9,000 |
| Petition goal | 100,000 signatures |
| Reinstatement cost | £265 million |
| GSA annual turnover | Not specified (cost is five times turnover) |
| Fires | 2014 and 2018 |
| Building completion | 1909 |
Impacts
The campaign has drawn support from prominent figures. British designer Thomas Heatherwick, via his campaign Humanise, urged GSA to rise to the challenge, noting that 'When Notre-Dame burned, Paris didn’t shrug and scale down its ambition.'
British architect and writer Douglas Murphy, writing in Apollo Magazine, criticized the UK’s track record on public projects, warning that 'Glasgow will be humiliated if the Mack is not rebuilt' and that without action 'the world will lose one of the most wonderful works of architecture, forever.'
If the building is not restored, students and the public could lose a landmark of architectural heritage. The GSA’s financial constraints may delay or prevent full reinstatement, affecting its role as an art school.
Future Outlook
Scenario analysis: The possibilities below are not certain predictions.
If the petition reaches 100,000 signatures, it could prompt formal government and board consideration, potentially leading to a new ownership and funding arrangement. However, the GSA’s lack of funds remains a major obstacle.
Alternatively, if no funding solution emerges, the building may remain unrestored, risking further deterioration and loss of a significant architectural work. The outcome may depend on whether public pressure and political will translate into financial commitments.
A third possibility is a scaled-down restoration or partial rebuild, though this would likely face opposition from those demanding full fidelity to Mackintosh’s original design.
Source: artforum.com
